[EBB Sightings] American Bittern at Contra Loma Regional Park, Antioch

Today between 10:30 and 1:30 we enjoyed a break in the weather and  
birded at Contra Loma Regional Park, Antioch.  In addition to finding  
an American Bittern, we observed 46 other species.  The birds really  
seemed to enjoy the warmer weather and the absence of  the cold, damp  
tule fog, as did the birders.  When we first entered the park, there  
were two coyotes laying in some short grass, just basking in the warm  
sun and not concerned with birders.  Later, and much further into the  
park, a third one joined the pair and we observed them at a very  
close distance as they loped along.  At one point, one was stalking  
prey among the exposed reeds and dead grass along the shoreline.

Species observed:

Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Greater Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Western Grebe
American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Sora
Common Moorhen
Killdeer
Wilson's Snipe
Ring-billed Gull
Barn Owl
Anna-s Hummingbird
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Norther Flicker
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
American Crow
Common Raven
Bushtit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird

Good birding,

Paul and Nancy Schorr, Antioch